Heavenly Father, thank you for a new day in which to thank, love and serve you. Thanks you for these amazing words of the apostle Paul. Help us to glorify you today, aware of the Holy Spirits power within us to know and do your will. Amen Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
When we stop living with expectations and start ‘living expectantly’, God, as Paul writes, is able to do ‘immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.’ That phrase ‘blows my mind’ as some of my former students would say. There are many things in my life that I might ask for or imagine and some even become closely held expectations. But when I live expectantly, the sky’s the limit. God is capable of doing things with me and in me that are beyond my ability to comprehend or execute.
That’s not all. God is able to do these amazing things in me and through me because His power is at work within me. Think of that for a minute. Because I belong to Christ and because his Spirit is at work within me, I can count on God to use all my gifts and shortcomings to expand His kingdom and accomplish His purposes.
I suspect going forward, I will still live with some expectations. However, if by the Spirit of God I can live expectantly, God will use me in ways that I can neither ask nor imagine.
Some years ago, a pastor pointed out to my father-in-law that as a Christian he had ‘to be alert to be amazed.’ When we carefully watch for the ways God is working in us and through us, we will be amazed indeed. It is one of the joys of living expectantly. It is one of the reasons we give God the glory that is His alone.
Lord, thank you for helping us to live expectantly. Thank you that by the power you have given each of us by your Holy Spirit, we are able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. Help us today to be alert to what you are doing in and through each of our lives. Amen.
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